THUNDER BAY – RESEARCH – Imagine there was a more effective way to study the brain while treating Alzheimer’s disease.
The Weston Brain Institute is providing $709,650 to Dr. Mitch Albert, a researcher at Lakehead University and the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute, to do exactly that.
The Research Institute – an independent, not-for-profit corporation – is the research arm of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The Research Institute’s scientists work closely with clinicians, medical professionals, and academic and industry partners to improve health care through excellence in patient-centred research focused on three molecular imaging-based platforms. Research is advanced through discovery and development of new technologies and processes that are brought to patients through clinical trials. With successful trial validation, discoveries proceed to commercialization for the benefit of patients everywhere.
“The goal of this research is to provide a more sensitive measurement of brain function in Alzheimer’s patients using hyperpolarized xenon,” Dr. Albert said. “It’s a new window on the brain. No one has looked at these images before. We don’t know what we’re going to see. So, it’s very, very exciting,” Dr. Albert added.
In addition, the research will offer advantages for testing new treatments for the condition – especially drug testing. “The enhanced detection capabilities of our hyperpolarized technique with MR will encourage an evidence-based approach to drug development, since more people will want to participate in clinical trials,” he advised, adding that this will also aid in the evaluation of new drugs.
He believes that when patients inhale hyperpolarized xenon gas, it will allow researchers to take a clearer picture of the brain when using an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) instrument.
This study will be the first large scale clinical trial in the world using hyperpolarized gas to take an image of the brain.
“Development of effective Alzheimer’s drugs has been largely unsuccessful,” Dr. Albert said. “But the enhanced detection capabilities of our hyperpolarized technique with MRI will encourage an evidence-based approach to drug development, since more people will want to participate in clinical trials. This will also allow for the evaluation of new drugs.”
AD is an incurable disease affecting more than 20 million people globally.
“The Weston Brain Institute is pleased to support this kind of critical high-risk, high-reward work,” said Alexandra Stewart, Executive Director at the Weston Brain Institute.
“If successful, Dr. Albert’s imaging tools will have great impact in developing effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease,” Stewart said.
Dr. Albert will work with Dr. Alla Reznik, Canada Research Chair in Physics of Molecular Imaging and researcher at Lakehead and the Research Institute; Drs. Seda Rafilovich and Anton Kolobov from St. Joseph’s Care Group, practicing geriatricians and experts in Alzheimer’s disease management; and Dr. Ayman Hassan, a neuroradiologist from the Health Sciences Centre who will assist with clinical oversight of the neuroradiology aspects of the study.
Dr. Andrew Dean, Lakehead University’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation, said research into Alzheimer’s disease is some of the most important work happening in the biomedical sector.
“Understanding this complex disease will require expert researchers attacking the problem from multiple perspectives. The substantial award from the Weston Brain Institute will allow Dr. Albert to pursue a new approach with widespread clinical trials,” Dr. Dean said.
“With an aging population, Northwestern Ontario is home to many patients that are more susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jean Bartkowiak, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Centre and CEO of the Research Institute. “Dr. Albert’s work, along with the generous support of the Weston Brain Institute, will allow us to better understand the disease, develop treatments to combat it, and ultimately improve the care we provide through patient-centred research.”
The Weston Brain Institute funding is for three years. Dr. Albert teaches Chemistry at Lakehead University.
Brandon Walker
